Hi friends,
I’m sure if you follow me on social media, you would have come across me talking about my newest book, One Last Kiss.
I thought of writing this book because of all the hype around first love and also what people like to refer to as the ‘one who got away’. I’m not saying these are not real or valid, but sometimes, maybe the one who got away did for a good reason and he or she should stay away!
Modern relationships are not easy to portray because of all the variables in play. Commitment to a relationship and even an institution like marriage is not what it used to be and that’s okay. People evolve and so do relationships and what they mean.
I received feedback from a couple of readers after reading this book that they weren’t sure why Tara behaved the way she did. I’m not sure either and despite being the writer, I can’t claim to have all the answers for all her actions or motivations. Sometimes, I feel characters dictate what they want to do best.
One Last Kiss is about Tara and her husband Aditya and the shadow of Tara’s ex-boyfriend Manav that hangs heavily over them, even after several years have gone by since Tara met him last. Letting go is not easy and this is something Tara discovers, much to her dismay.
Do you want to read this book? Not sure if you want to spend your time deciding? Okay, let me make it easier for you. Tara and Adi’s love story jumps off the pages from the very first chapter. Here’s chapter 1 for you and once you read it, you can decide whether or not you want to read the full book.
Chapter 1
The night before the email that would change my life appeared in my inbox, Aditya and I had just finished supper at The White Hart and I was the slightest bit tipsy as we made our way back to our house in Easton Road.
‘This was a bad idea,’ Aditya said as we reached the tiny gate that opened into the garden that led to our house. ‘We should have stayed at home. You should have made your dal makhani.’
‘Why? You’re not even sh-shlurring,’ I said, watching him unlock the main door. The blast of warm air inside was much welcome after the walk in the chilly night had frozen my cheeks.
‘But you are,’ he said disapprovingly as he removed his coat and hung it on the coat rack. He made an exasperated sort of face as he helped remove my coat and then my earmuffs as well.
‘Why sho grumpy?’ I said with a grin as I sat on the arm of the sofa in the living room.
He sighed. He was so cute, I thought. And he was mine. My smile grew bigger as I threw my arms around his neck while he tried to remove my shoes.
‘Tara, you have school tomorrow. I have work. We can’t behave like kids!’ he said as he tugged off my shoes finally.
‘Oh god!’ I groaned, falling back on the sofa, my legs in the air. ‘Don’t remind me about tomorrow! It’s still Sunday yet!’
He kept the shoes on the shoe stand by the door neatly and then removed his and kept it next to mine.
I knew he was right. But it was different for him – he would hop on his train to London and get off at Liverpool Street and head into work without a care in the word. I on the other hand would have to deal with a bunch of testy seven year olds who hated Mondays more than I did. Most Sunday nights, I almost forgot why I loved teaching but the children almost always got over their moody behaviour in an hour or so of school and their laughter and enthusiasm more than made up for any grumpiness on my own part.
‘Tara. Come on. Let’s get you to the bedroom,’ he said, tugging at my hand.
‘Sho shoon?’ I asked, my tongue stumbling over the words.
‘How are you such a lightweight? You had two beers for fuck’s sake!’ he said, sounding exasperated as I got up unsteadily and followed him. In the bedroom, he undressed quickly and economically while I stood at the doorway, watching him.
‘What are you doing?’ he asked as he stood only in boxers, shivering slightly.
‘Can’t I enjoy the show?’ I asked, crossing my arms.
Something finally seemed to give. He rolled his eyes and prowled towards me.
‘This is an interactive show. You have to participate too,’ he said, pulling me forward by threading his finger into the loop of my jeans.
‘Now you’re talking!’ I whispered as he unsnapped the button and pushed down my jeans. I stepped out of them and I lifted my arms dutifully. He tugged the pullover I was wearing over my head. I was surprised he had managed to do both without copping a feel.
‘You know what happens when I drink,’ I murmured.
‘Two beers’, he indicated with his fingers, ‘is not even counted.’ I was standing in my lacy white bra and a low waist panty and I pouted.
‘Fine. Whatever,’ I said and made my way to the bathroom. He stopped me, with a hand on my elbow, just as I’d known he would. His hot gaze raked over me and I shivered the slightest, not because of the cold but because of what his proximity did to me.
‘Where do you think you’re going?’ he asked.
‘Loo,’ I said but he twirled me around and picked me up in his arms.
‘Ooh! Sho shtrong!’ I said, running my hands over his biceps, leaning close to sniff him. He dumped me on the bed and removed the rest of my clothes as well. I was lying in bed, naked and cold but his gaze warmed me. But he needed to be here. Not so far away.
‘What are you doing?’ I asked him in a complaining tone when he walked around the bed. I was really horny. That’s what happened when I got drunk. Also, the sight of my husband’s yummy body already had me panting.
He held the condom packet between his thumb and forefinger and waved it slightly. Oh. Okay. I felt my face heat as he pulled down his boxers and rolled on the condom onto his thick cock. My mouth watered as he rounded the bed and clambered on top and parted my legs. I grew wetter and watched him as he pushed two fingers inside me. I arched towards him, my breath coming out in pants as he finger fucked me leisurely.
My mouth was dry and I pushed my head back into the pillow as his fingers found my G spot. I didn’t even realise I was moaning loudly as he flicked my clit with his thumb and that made me come all around his fingers.
‘You’re the only drunk I know who’s sexy,’ he said as he bent forward to take my nipple into his mouth. He sucked hard while his fingers remained inside me.
‘Two beers don’t make me a drunk!’ I gasped as he tugged at my nipple and then, moved to the other, laving it with his tongue, looking at how it hardened before he took it into his mouth.
He didn’t reply as he continued sucking my breast and then he lifted his head, positioned himself between my legs and plunged straight in. I let out a shout as he worked his cock into me like a piston. I was trembling already when he kissed me. I held his face and kissed him back as he fucked me hard, just the way I wanted.
His stamina and endurance were always remarkable, I thought, as he continued pumping into me even though I’d come twice already. My legs felt like jelly. They were trembling so much and at this point, I didn’t care about the central heating. I was sweating just from the sex.
When he finally came, he collapsed over me, and I clutched his sweat dampened hair as he regained his breath and pulled out. But I knew it was just a few minutes before he’d want to go again. Lucky me, I thought, as our eyes met and he reached out to touch my parted lips and I loosened my grip on his hair. I felt the exhaustion of the day melt away but in its place, anxiety for Monday started to make its appearance.
I stopped thinking as he licked a path across my breasts. His tongue made lazy circles around my nipple, making it hard once more.
‘Umm…’I groaned. ‘I’m sleepy. We both have work tomorrow.’
He looked up at me in a bewildered sort of way, and he shook his head. I stretched out on the bed, feeling the sweat cool on my body as he disposed of the condom and came back to lie down beside me.
‘Now you’re sleepy?’ he asked, his voice still husky with desire as he spooned behind me.
‘Yeah,’ I said, deliberately pushing my ass back into his body.
‘You say one thing and your body says another,’ he muttered, but he put an arm around my middle and pulled me close. My eyes drifted shut. I was content. My husband and I loved each other. We had an adorable house in Witham; we both had jobs we loved and enjoyed and we were young. The world was ours for the taking. Life really couldn’t get better.
Aditya rested his chin on my shoulder.
‘We’ve been married four years,’ he said.
‘Nearly,’ I corrected him. ‘Not four years yet.’ I felt his shrug.
His palm splayed over my belly. ‘When are we having a baby, Tara?’ he asked softly, his hand rotating circles around my middle.
I turned to him and cupped his face and kissed the tip of his nose.
‘When I stop being one myself,’ I whispered.
‘Tara,’ he said in a reprimanding tone. ‘We have to get serious about this. I’m nearing 30.’
‘And I’m just 28,’ I reminded him. ‘Can we hold off this conversation for when I come back from India?’
He threw his leg over mine and pulled me closer, tightening his hold over me. ‘I hate that you’re going without me. What am I going to do here till you get back?’ he whispered.
‘Dream of me,’ I mumbled into his chest. Sleep hit me hard and fast but I regained enough consciousness to tell him - ‘You know Amma needs me. She hasn’t been too well and it’s been two years since I visited last.’
He kissed the top of my head and pulled me closer until there was no space between us. I felt warm and protected in the cocoon of his love and the uneasiness that the baby talk brought about receded.
‘I love you Tara,’ he whispered.
I squeezed him back, even though my eyes were shut tightly.
‘I love you too, Manav,’ I mumbled.
Liked what you read? You can read One Last Kiss here. It’s free for Kindle Unlimited subscribers.